Precinct Officials

The elections process needs many people involved. Each election involves almost
550 people working at the polling places, doing a variety of jobs - all concerned
with furthering the democratic process. Do you want to help? Here's what you need
to know:

Qualifications (NC General Statutes 163-41)

Persons appointed ... must be registered voters and residents of the county
in which the precinct is located, of good repute and able to read & write."

"No person shall be eligible to serve as a precinct official ... who holds
any elective office under the government of the United States or of North Carolina
or any political subdivision thereof."

"No person shall serve ... who is a candidate for nomination or election."

"No person shall be eligible ... who holds any office in a state, congressional
district, county, or precinct political party or political organization, or who
is a manager or treasurer for any candidate or political party, provided ... a precinct
official can be a delegate to a political party convention."

"The following categories of relatives are prohibited from serving as precinct
officials of the same precinct: spouse, child, spouse of a child, sister or brother."

"No precinct official who is the wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter,
brother or sister of any candidate for nomination or election may serve as precinct
official during any primary or election in which such candidate participates..."

How Appointed

Precinct election officials can be recommended by the political parties and are
appointed by the Board of Elections for a two-year term beginning in August of odd-numbered
years and every two years thereafter.

Each voting place is staffed with a CHIEF JUDGE, two JUDGES and some ASSISTANTS.
The Board of Elections appoints the Chief Judge based on political party and staff
recommendations. The Judges and Assistants represent each political party. Only
one member of a family may serve as a precinct election official within a given
precinct.

Chief Judge

The CHIEF JUDGE is the head precinct official and is in charge of contacting the
polling place, custodian and the other officials to make arrangements for each election.
The Chief Judge is also responsible for handling Election Day activities, as well
as picking up and returning Election Day supplies before and after each election.

Judges

The JUDGES work closely with the Chief Judge and are responsible for conducting
the election. They must sign all official documents and resolve any challenges.
The Chief Judge assigns all other duties.

Assistants

The ASSISTANTS serve when needed and at the discretion and direction of the Chief
Judge.

Election Staff Assistants (ESA)

The ESA works closely with the Chief Jude and Board of Elections staff and are responsible
for several precincts on Election Day. ESA’s are required to follow a route truck
on Monday prior to Election Day to ensure correct equipment is delivered and to
deliver poll books. An ESA is the first contact for voting machine or tabulator
problems on Election Day. ESA’s are responsible for returning election night results
to the central office for tabulation. Each ESA must be at a precinct at the close
of polls. Use of a reliable personal vehicle is required. Election Staff Assistants
must attend required poll worker training plus a required ESA specific training.

Special Information

There are approximately five elections scheduled in each two-year term. (Special
Referenda and bond elections also may be called.) The Chief Judge and two Judges
are required to work each election. Assistants are allotted when needed.

Elections are usually held on Tuesdays

All polls are open from 6:30AM until 7:30PM

Day before the election (if possible) - set up the precinct and check machines

Officials must be in the voting place at 6:00AM and remain until all votes have
been counted and documents signed - usually by 8:30PM. General Statute 163-47 requires
that precinct officials remain at the voting place for the entire day. Assistants
may work no less than 7-hour shifts. No precinct election officials may leave the
voting place except in extreme emergencies.

Special Training

GS 163-46 requires all officials to attend training sessions conducted by the Board
of Elections prior to each major primary and general election. The Chief Judge and
Judges are issued a Precinct Official Manual notebook at the required
training session. They receive training concerning specific issues affecting the
upcoming election. Precinct election officials are paid to attend these training
sessions in addition to their Election Day compensation. Training sessions are conducted
the month prior to each primary and general election. Precinct officials are notified
by mail of the training dates.